Vinyl and wood gates come with their set of advantages and disadvantages. Vinyl fencing offers priceless properties, whereas wood gates excel in other categories.
Let’s compare our two fencing options based on these categories. Let’s get started!
Let’s compare our two fencing options: Vinyl Vs. Wooden Get
#1 Durability
Vinyl gates last almost twice as long or even longer as the wooden gate. In addition, many vinyl gates often come with a lifetime warranty. Wooden gates have a shorter lifespan and can last about 20 years with proper maintenance and frequent repairs, buy vinyl fences made with DuraResin vinyl formulations last for decades.
The major culprit behind the lessened durability of wooden gates is moisture. Unfortunately, wood is susceptible to moisture damage. As a result, wooden gates absorb water, sag, and rot in the worst-case scenario. Similarly, not every brand of wood fencing is resistant to insects and termites. However, you can use paints or preservative sealants to prevent wood damage. However, it may need to be refinished every few years. On the other hand, a vinyl gate has no issue with moisture and pests. As a result, they do not rot or decay, and this fact alone boosts their lifespan by decades.
#2 Aesthetics
In terms of aesthetics, both vinyl and wood gates perform admirably. The distinct grain on each picket and the natural texture and warmth of wood look fantastic on gates. Furthermore, you can have your wood gate painted any color you want. Wood gates are also available in various styles, ranging from scalloped picket gates to full-privacy vertical board gates. Vinyl gates compete with wood in this category as well. If you thought installing a vinyl gate on your property meant installing a plain white boring gate, you were mistaken. Vinyl gates now come in various patterns that mimic wood and stone. You can also go for Duramax Fences, one of the top vinyl gate manufacturers, DuraGrain fence gates that look like wood but have a cell structure of vinyl. DuraGrain fences can mimic wood but minus its high maintenance.
#3 Property Value
As long as the gates are clean and well-maintained, both wood and vinyl gates help improve your property value. But, of course, you have to make sure that the wood gate should be rotten or decayed if you have one.
In the case of vinyl, ensure the gate is clean and doesn’t need any repairs. However, many buyers might prefer the gates’ traditional wooden appearance, especially with their ancestral home. But if you consider the whole thing in the long run, go for vinyl.
#4 Cleaning And Maintenance
Since the home’s upkeep is already draining, we usually don’t have time and energy to often clean the outdoors, including the gate. So, it’s natural for most people to be inclined towards the fencing system that requires minimal maintenance and is easy to clean. But, the good news is that vinyl gates are incredibly low on maintenance. And, a periodic rinsing with a garden hose does the job with brilliance. On the other hand, it might need more effort to clean a wood gate. As wood is susceptible to moisture and mold, you will need to spend considerable time and effort maintaining your wooden gates at home. You might need to scrub the wooden gates using cleaners to clean the wooden gates.
Wood gates also need repainting and resealing with preservatives every once and then. This refinishing cost makes the overall maintenance cost for wood gates costly compared to vinyl gates. However, if you choose a vinyl gate in the color white, it will undoubtedly look fabulous, but you need to keep in mind that it will look dirty much faster than the wooden fences. So, you might need to clean it more frequently. And, if you wish to avoid this problem, get a vinyl gate of other colors and patterns.
#5 Repairs And Replacement
Both the vinyl and wood gates need occasional repairs. For example, vinyl fencing under heavy pressure might come apart, and wood gates might also need repairs and boards replaced after any damage. But the repair of vinyl fence gates is fairly easy, and most homeowners can do so on their own. Moreover, as these gates are pest and moisture resistant, you don’t have to worry about sagging or decaying pickets. However, because vinyl gates are frequently prefabricated panels, damage to a pocket or two may necessitate replacing the entire panel, which can be costly. In the case of wood gate repairs and replacements, you can easily replace only the damaged part, which will cost you much less. However, if the homeowner is not skilled in woodworking, they will need to hire a costly professional.
#6 Ease Of Installation
Usually, homeowners must build a wood gate instead of installing pre-made panels. That being said, you have an option of installing prefab wood panels these days. Then, you can connect them to posts using brackets and nails.
However, if you decide to build one but lack the necessary tools and expertise, you will need to hire professionals, which can be expensive.
On the other hand, Vinyl gates are very easy to install because most of them come as prefabricated panels. Posts have notches to hold in and lock the panels in place, and if they don’t, one can attach the panels using brackets. So, it is relatively easier to install a vinyl gate, and with proper guidance manual and tools, homeowners can DIY install these gates easily.
Conclusion
Wood gates are fantastic if you want that wooden look for your gates and don’t mind the periodic maintenance. But if you don’t want to put in the effort for such hectic upkeep, go for Duramax vinyl fences. Duramax Fences is currently offering free samples. Claim yours today and test the material while deciding on the design and type of vinyl fencing for your home.
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